Should Zorn Adapt to Campbell?

Redskins Locker Room

This column by Thomas Boswell (another good one from Bos) got me thinking...(insert joke here)

We've talked a lot about Jason Campbell adjusting to fit the WCO, and if he can't to just cut bait with him. But should we consider the opposite? Should Zorn adjust his scheme (on more than just the occassional shotgun) to suit the skills of Campbell?

I refer back to Joe Gibbs first run as head coach as a comparison. He was brought in to add excitement to the team (particularly the offense) and implement the Air Coryell, aggressive downfield passing attack. But then he saw that he had a huge asset in Riggins and the running game and adjusted accordingly. His ability to do so ultimately made him one of the best head coaches of all time.

At what point do we/should we expect the same of Zorn? (I don't mean expect him to be one of the best all time, I mean expect him to adjust)

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Sherman Smith said they were going to put Campbell in the shot gun more because Campbell said he can see the field better. "But if he still does'nt play well, then we have a problem." Zorn has pretty much left it up to Campbell when to use it. In Zorns own words it does somewhat restrict the running game so you can't use it all the time. They will continue to make adjustments but I seriously doubt they will trash the wco. On a side note, Kelly and Thomas had very good pratices today.

I really think this whole thing is being over analyzed to death too. I know it sounds like a broken record but it's been one freaking game. Can we just give him the chance to get a grasp on this new offense??

I agree with Matty but I do think coaches need to fit the scheme to maximize the abilities of the players. No reason that Zorn can't try to get his stuff in and as he evaluates make adjustments that need to be made.

As much as I hate Belichek this is one thing he does well. He makes his schemes fit his players...and well. It's a big reason they win.

The best coaches do that, adapt their style to their players. Look at the difference between Reid and Zorn.. Same coaching tree from Holmgren but Reid has always had significant deep ball components to his game because that's one of McNabb's strengths. He uses the screen more than ever (and more than most WCO teams) because it's Westbrook's strength.. Maximizing your talent to win games is what great coaching is about, not making players excel in 'your scheme'.

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The Campbell thing is being overdone in my opinion. IF Campbell sucks it up all season, look for him to be replaced via the draft for someone Zorn feels fits the west coast system a bit better. Personally, I think Campbell will be fine and be here for many years to come. I think part of the reason JC is getting ripped so hard is how confident he was acting as if the pre-season blowouts and all around meager offensive drives shouldn't be a reason for concern.

PS -- Been swamped, I still read -- havent abandoned ship after the loss =p

No offense, SS, it's a good thread, but god I hope JC has a good game Sunday, so we can take a break from the JC s***.

Personally, I think that he can be very good in a WCO, and especially when he has Kelly, Thomas , and even Davis in there regularly. Ultimately, Campbell is just one piece (though a large piece) of this new offense.

I agree with Matty that Campbell probably isn't being asked to do anything the coaches don't think he's capable of (to think otherwise is to imply they are setting him up for failure).

But there are plenty of people who are ready to write Campbell off now. And that's fine, I think that's extreme, but their opinion. But before they do, I just wanted to ask simply "What Should Zorn Do?"

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